Sports Unity’s drive to unite football fans towards charitable causes took a positive first step on Saturday with supporters from six Premier League clubs joining forces to donate blood at the National Blood Donation Centre in Gwardamangia.
Organised on the occasion of Match Day 1 of the new Malta Premier Season, this first event aimed to showcase the power of solidarity in sport. Fans from all walks of life put aside their differences, joining forces to contribute to a cause that can save countless lives, while wearing their team’s traditional colours.
This event was also intended as a soft launch for Sports Unity’s much bigger objective for the first part of the football season – getting together clubs from the Malta Premier and the Challenge League to raise funds for cancer research, by supporting the RIDT, the University’s trust fund.
Ian Debattista, chairman of Ħamrun Ħanin, the voluntary organisation behind Sports Unity said: “The event serves as a powerful reminder that unity and teamwork extend far beyond the football pitch. When people come together for a cause greater than themselves, the results are truly inspiring.
“This blood donation drive is the perfect example of how the spirit of collaboration can turn a simple act of giving into a profound statement of hope and solidarity. Seeing scores of football fans with rival team jerseys exchanging special moments together was an encouragement to take this big project forward”.
360Sports COO Richard Shirley added: “360Sports are delighted to support the new season blood donation kick-off event organised by Sports Unity. We are passionate supporters of Maltese community fan-based initiatives and look forward to participating in further initiatives over the coming season”.
Caroline Cassar, on behalf of the NBTS said: “The National Blood Transfusion Service would like to thank Sports Unity for organising this first exciting event to get together the members and football fans to donate blood to save lives.
“Where there is unity there is strength and wonderful things may be achieved. With one donation you save three lives. With a donation every 4 months (female) and 3 months (male) one saves from 9 to 12 lives in a year”.
